So, the journey home has been
made. I've caught up on the work emails. And the third load of
washing I managed to generate (how?!?!?) is currently spinning in
the machine. I can now finally take a few moments to reflect a
little on my second experience of the Learning Technologies Conference and
Exhibition.
And there are quite a few thoughts occupying my head, thanks
largely to three stellar key note addresses, that could almost be
classed as 'past', 'present' and 'future'.
The Past
If it sounds disingenuous, or even rude, to label
one of the most celebrated thinkers of our time, Edward de
Bono as the past, it's certainly not meant to come
across that way. While the point of Dr de Bono's talk was the need
for L&D to think laterally, and not to just recycle the same
old ways of doing things, at its core were classic thinking models,
delivered via a back-to-basics presentation style. Armed with just
an OHP, paper and a pen to bring his ideas to life, it was almost
like watching one man alone with his great thoughts.
When he urged us to abandon satisfactory ideas, charging that
they were blocks to true creativity, I considered all the times
(which is too often) that I have relied on the tried and tested
because I know it works. Excellence doesn't come from that,
however, and how am I going to help anyone (including myself) learn
anything by doing the same things again and again. It's definitely
time to shake up my thinking in a few areas.
The Present
Having read his much acclaimed book,
'You Are Not a Gadget', as part of my research
for my Masters dissertation, I was particularly excited to see
Jaron
Lanier. His ability to provoke thought and stimulate
discussion is just as potent in person as it is on paper, as he
outlined how we collectively progress and power the development of
digital tools, and the responsibilities that come with that.
As just one relatively straightforward illustration of this
duty, Lanier outlined a system implementation scenario. The
functions embedded into that system, and the processes and
protocols that underpin their use, have the power to influence how
something is forever done in an organisation, system or culture.
For learning professionals, does this set-up scenarios where we'll
need to encourage people to unlearn inefficiencies, but find
resistance towards our efforts because it's so ingrained that it's
too difficult to challenge? Which, in turn stifles what De Bono
said is so essential for learning to thrive.
The Future
The ever-advancing mind/machine hybrid was offered by noted
futurist Ray Kurzweil. "Technology
hasn't made the world worse," he stated. "It's just helped us to
understand the problems better." Understanding problems is fine -
so long as we have the tools to do something about them. And are
empowered to use them.
As I listened to many delegates recount tales of blocks placed
in their way by other colleagues and departments, I considered some
very real challenges that we have to overcome now before we even
consider the possibilities of the future. It's truly frustrating to
hear about talented people in our profession who do understand the
problems, want to do something about them, but are thwarted by
those with aversions to any kind of risk, brandishing outdated
notions of protective policies.
On the flipside, it helps make those who are lucky enough to
work in more progressive environments even more thankful to work in
a culture that encourages digital technology, rather than trying to
squash it.
"Social learning gives a voice to the people who are quietest
in the room."
It's important for me to end this blog post on a positive note,
because I've dwelled somewhat on some perceived downsides. By and
large, I am wildly enthusiastic about technology and the
opportunities it has afforded me. (As just one of example of how
grateful I am to it, approx. 95% of the people I had a great time
speaking to during the conference I met via Twitter or
LinkedIn.)
The declaration in the heading above came from Oke
Eleazu (a customer experience specialist, and director
of Think Outside In) in his double-headed session with Donald
Clark on peer-to-peer learning. Whether the statement
is always true or not, I guess depends on an organisation's
culture. However, this is a comment I can see me using time and
again to help demonstrate the value of social learning to those who
remain sceptical.
Oke also discussed how social learning "supercharges" rather
than replaces traditional learning. I couldn't agree more, which is
why I will always remain excited to see what new developments and
possibilities online and digital technology provide learning.
One final thing …
In the past year Eden Tree's parent company, GoodPractice, has
expanded its portfolio of learning materials to include e-learning,
video and mobile. With this growth has come some challenges on how
best to celebrate these developments at the conference's attendant
exhibition. A truly wonderful effort by the entire company, from
the generating of ideas, to the sorting out of logistics, resulted
in a fantastic buzz and atmosphere around our stand. As a result,
I've never been prouder to be associated with Eden Tree and
GoodPractice.
Some people to thank for going the extra mile for us include
Hilary Joiner of Little Ego Creative
Shop whose efforts to make sure our stand looked the
part cannot be over-stated; Ascot
Communications' Kate Graham, who provided the ideas
and experience to guide us in exactly the right way; and our own
Catriona MacLeod who held everything together by making sure every
'i' was dotted and 't' crossed.